The negative health effects of smoking cigarettes and cigars have been known for years. Second-hand smoke or Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a danger to all who come in any contact with it. There is no quantity of ETS that is safe for anyone. Of all ages that are exposed to ETS, children are the most at risk for developing health problems caused by chronic inhalation of the smoke. It is fairly easy for a non-smoker to determine how much ETS they come in contact with and for what duration. Children, however, rarely get to make this decision. Advocacy for the ban against smoking in cars with children was created to protect children’s health and give them a voice. Initiatives for the ban have been implemented throughout the world. It has been a slow, but successful progression over time.

   Environment Tobacco Smoke contains over 40 toxic substances. Some of these substances are in higher concentrations in the ETS than they are in the smoke that smoker inhales. ETS poses a huge health threat to children as they develop. It has been linked to numerous health problems such as, ear infections, upper and lower respiratory infections, eye irritations, allergies, some cancers, asthma, sore throats, and lung infections. ETS contributes to 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia in children under 18 months every year. It has been connected to unfavorable cholesterol levels and the initiation of heart disease in children. Babies that are exposed to ETS are twice as likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than those who live in smoke free environments. ETS has also affected growth and learning. Studies have shown that children who are exposed to high amounts of ETS have slower growth in their organs and their overall height. Links between adverse neurobehavioral effects, such as ADHD and other learning disabilities, and ETS exposure have also been found. The reason why children are at such a high risk to all of these health problems is because of their stage of development. At that age, their immune systems are less protected and they are breathing more air in relation to their total body weight. This is causing a large amount of smoke to go through their bodies with every breath. So, as their bodies are developing, they are constantly taking in ETS filled with chemicals. The effects of the chemicals on the developing bodies are potentially devastating to their health. Unfortunately, these effects do not surface until it is too late to reverse them, and permanent life long damage has been done.

     All tobacco laws are controversial and there are usually two distinct sides. The ban against smoking in cars with children is no different. There are people who are extremely in favor of the ban, and there are people who are tremendously opposed to the ban. There have been aggressive initiatives to adopt more stringent smoking laws in public places, the workplace, even apartment buildings. With the heightened efforts, it is no surprise that smoking in vehicles has come under the magnifying glass. With ETS being such a health risk and cost to healthcare, advocacy groups have been stepping up to protect those most vulnerable to it; children.

What's Being Said: Those in Favor of the Ban

What's Being Said: Those Against the Ban

    There have been initiatives throughout the United States to develop and implement programs where smoking is banned in vehicles containing children under a predetermined age. If drivers are caught smoking while there are child passengers in the vehicle, they will be subject to a fine. The components of this program are very comprehensive. They include an age limit and a penalty. The quantity of both of these variables is being established at the state and local levels. For some states, such as Arkansas, laws are being established for children who fall under the required guidelines for child safety seat laws. These laws state that children under the age of six or under 60 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat. Other states, such as Louisiana and Maine, have taken a more aggressive approach to the law. Their age limits are in the teens, and their fines are larger. At this point and time, there are no consistencies of age and penalty between the states. Across the U.S., an increasing amount advocacy is being created based around this initiative. Advocacy is coming from all levels, such as, the government, various health promotion groups, even from children. In Connecticut, a 9-year-old boy came up with the idea of smoke-free driving. He wondered ‘why you could still smoke while driving, if you couldn’t talk on the phone or drink and drive’. He sent letters to his legislators and collected 200 petition signatures, many from his classmates.

     Although there is a lot of advocacy for the ban on smoking in cars with children, states only began fully establishing the law in 2006. Arkansas, which was the first state to have the law, passed it in a matter of four days. Representative B. Mathis (D) introduced the bill on day one and it was laughed at. By the end of the fourth day, it had been passed into law. He initially proposed the bill because he believed that it fit in with the rigorous emphasis that the state was already putting on anti-smoking campaigns and laws. Louisiana followed suit shortly after. The primary reasoning following their establishment of the law was to help prevent health problems that children could encounter from second-hand smoke inhalation. In 2007, Puerto Rico picked up the law. In 2008, California and Maine established laws of their own. Keyport New Jersey also has a ban against smoking in cars with children for their area. Many other states have tried to pass legislation for these laws, but they have been stopped.

States With Policies

States in Progress

    

    The advocacy efforts for this initiative are not going to end. As additional states adopt their own smoke free policies, more acceptance will be given to the idea that smoking in the car with children present is harmful. The states that have established their own policies are hoping that smokers will use it as education. They didn’t create the laws to punish smokers, but more to educate them of the damaging effects that they could be doing to children and others around them.

Sources